North Lanarkshire Council has given consent for a battery energy storage system (BESS) which will provide renewable energy power for nearly 6,500 local residents. The 30MW BESS site is located on Burnbank Street, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire and will be built on approximately one acre of land, to the rear of an existing industrial site.
North Lanarkshire Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, setting a target of net-zero by 2030 for the area. The BESS was approved at committee on Thursday 14th August 2024. Once built, the BESS will remain operational for up to 40 years. Renewable Connections hosted a public consultation in May 2023 and received no objections from public or statutory consultees.
Phil Hale, Chief Operating Officer at Renewable Connections said: “Today’s decision is a great step towards a net zero future for North Lanarkshire. Burnbank BESS will support the Council to meet its low carbon targets by enabling homes and businesses to be powered by renewable energy sources. This technology also helps to manage the peaks and troughs of energy demand, supporting a more stable and reliable national electricity grid, which is great news for everyone.”
The UK Government estimates that the implementation of battery energy storage systems could save the UK energy system up to £40 billion in operating costs by 2050*, which will help to reduce individual energy bills.
Renewable Connections, one of the UK’s leading solar and battery developers, submitted the application to the Council in January 2024. Construction of the BESS could commence in 2026.
For more information go to: www.burnbankbatterystorage.co.uk
